Agencies Provide Time Off For The Care-giver

April 20, 1986|By Moira Bailey of the Sentinel staff

The care-giver -- the person who tends to someone else's needs day in and day out -- needs a break.

''The care-givers need some respite,'' said Aaron Lipman of the University of Miami's Center for Social Research in Aging. ''They are literally on a 24- or 46-hour day. What they need more than even financial aid is just someone to take that responsibility off their hands for a while.''

Respite care programs provide relief for care-givers who simply need to get out of the house for a couple of hours to buy groceries or go to the bank.

Through community care programs, care-givers also can get help with hands-on duties such as bathing or housekeeping.

Some programs charge a fee based on the client's ability to pay; other programs are free or ask for a donation.

Visiting Nurse Association Inc. Offers respite care in the home through its own ''friendly visitor'' program and by other volunteers, in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Also sponsors adult day-care centers through its Community Care for the Elderly program in Orange and Seminole counties. Details: (305) 628-0085 for respite care, (305) 628-2884 for adult day-care centers.